South Bruce has set the date for its referendum on a proposed deep geological repository (DGR) to store Canada’s used nuclear fuel.
Advance voting will start on Oct. 21, allowing voters a week to cast a ballot in the lead-up to referendum day, Monday, Oct. 28.
The bylaw passed by council also confirms the question eligible voters in South Bruce will be asked: “Are you in favour of the Municipality of South Bruce declaring South Bruce to be a willing host for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s proposed deep geological repository?”
South Bruce is one of two communities in Ontario under consideration by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization for a DGR. The site selection process commenced in 2010.
A notice from the municipality says if a minimum of 50 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot, and more than 50 per cent of those ballots are “yes,” then South Bruce would pass a resolution declaring it a willing host for the project.
If the “no” vote prevails: “the municipality will exit the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s site selection process and South Bruce will no longer be eligible to be selected as the host community for the proposed deep geological repository.”
If turnout isn’t there and less than 50 per cent of eligible voters take part in the referendum, the municipality says in a statement the results aren’t binding and the decision on whether or not South Bruce is a willing host will be made by council.
